Getting an Internet Connection in Germany

Should be getting a PC at home pretty soon, so I will want to get connected up to the internet. As my topic title asks...any suggestions?

Cheers

Ken

I'm assuming you will be using a modem connection. I recommend that you download the Smart Surfer program. It is a little program that shows you all the different tarifs per minute from all the different Internet connections you can dial into and then you can choose the cheapest one. It updates itself I think each time you dial into the Internet.
http://download-tipp.de/shareware_und_freeware/1534.shtml

At one time I used to have a ISDN connection at home, but I don't think you'll need that since you'll have a fast Internet connection all day at work and you're probably not going to spend even more time surfing the web at night. A modem connection is fast enough to just check email and such.

ISDN is too slow.
TDSL 1500 Flat is where its at.

Especially for downloading tv shows and movies in English, and news clips from home.

Heh, the work connection was fast until I discovered Toytown munich, now my constant reloading and checking for new mesages has slowed that right down hehe

If your looking at getting hooked up to DSL, suggest you pop into your local T-Punkt and sort the DSL connection package out with them (i.e. w/ vs w/out isdn etc.), then you'll need a provider – if you want to go for T-Online, you could sign up right there in the T-Punkt. After a few days, they'll mail you all the stuff you need (software/hardware). That's what I did – and I guess I'm quite happy with it all. Currently costs me about 50€/monthfor everything, i.e. DSL connection plus T-Online standard flat rate. If you don't want to go for T-Online, you can sign up for any other provider that offers DSL.

3 lions,

I have just had my telephone and computer hooked up at home by a friend of my ex´s who does this sort of thing in his spare time, if you want to just e-mail me and I will give you his details. He speaks good english and will be able to advise you on what to get and can install it for you if required.

PS- I am not on commission for this!!!

Hi. I have read your thread and I have purchased a dsl modem on ebay.de. I am seriously thinking about t-online ds flat tarif but will only need my connection for 4months max but their contract is six! Also you have to start with starterpack before changing to flat tarif, v annoying. I am currently thinking about www.newdsl.de it offers 1, 3 and 6 month contracts and it doesnt matter which you choose, the only problem is i shall have to get a crummy aol free minute cd to get set up whereas for t-online can set it up in store. Prices are good on both sides - help?
Also, can you contact telekom through a t-punkt store to get a phone line sorted, as i dont think i have one, even tho its student housing and u would presume they do. If i have to call them, how can i call without a phone connection? Have a mobile phone but uk sim card, too expensive to use. Im getting really confused and will be in munich next wk! I shall be living in munich for 4 months and studying at the university of applied sciences so any tips on computer access there would be great although need it in my room also for video conferencing with bf! Hope you can help as im running out of time.

Thanks

The cheapest flatrate DSL ISP tarif without long-term commitment is Tiscali at 19.90/month - they have a one-month cancellation period and no minimum commitment... Their cheaper 15.90/month flatrate service has a minimum 6-month requirement, thereafter one months cancellation. If you are going to be here at least 5 months, then this is cheaper as 5x19.90 is almost 6x15.90, and if you are here any longer then the total cost are less

Add that to the usual phone and DSL connection charges and monthly costs from Telecom. Avoid being "persuaded" into T-Online...

Note that from end of April standard DSL datarates (only from Telekom connections) will increase to 1000/128, so speed should increase around 40% from the current 768/128...

On the subject of making the connection call 0800 330 1000 for Telekom customer "service" (although "service" might be a slight misnomer with Deutsche Telekom) - this is a freecall number so can also be made from a public phone. They'll need your name, address, date of birth, and if you know it the number or name of the previous tenant (makes it quicker and easier to identify the line). Typical turnaround is 2-7 days on a new line if you know the previous number, 7-14 if you don't (as they need to send someone round to identify the line). Can be longer for ISDN. The DSL connection usually arrives a week or so after the phone connection. Once you have DSL connection date you can contract the ISP a day or so before. Tiscali connect you the same day (often within minutes of applying)

YorkshireLad6

hi again, i know this seems pretty silly but to call that number from uk are these the numbers you dial? Was hoping to ring them tomorrow to get phone line sorted before i arrive or at least give them head start.

49 89 800 330 1000 ? (Country Code, city code, knowck of '0' and dial rest of number)

Thanks

Our office dial-in free phone number works with a 00 from the Uk so you only dial 00 800 xxxxxx. I would try this first as it would be a free call. Otherwise when I call freephone numbers in the US I dial 001 (US Country code) and then the number without the zero prefix ie 001 800 xxxxxx. One of these should work.

EDIT:
Specifically for your number that should be:

00 800 330 1000; or
0049 800 330 1000

No, 0800 numbers cannot be dialled from outside Germany. Same as with premium rate or free numbers in the UK.

From the UK you can dial 00 49 1805305000. They should be able to help you.

thanks for your help, i shall try it tomorrow. are there englsh speaking people on the line? Will they allow me to book an appointment for them to visit even tho dont live there yet? I know the exact address but not the previous tenants address

Depends on what you are getting I guess. I've got the flatrate DSL connection from Telekom and no visit to my apartment was required.

The have a specific English speaking technical department (probably just one bloke in an office posting on Toytown all day) which you can be put through to if necessary. When I was getting setup they were very helpful in getting it all sorted.

>>From the UK you can dial 00 49 1805305000. They should be able to help you.

Can't imagine why you would want to call that number - it's T-Online, and nothing to do with Deutsche Telekom

Let's make this easy...

@newbie2004:
PM me with:

• Your new address
• Your date of birth
• EXACTLY what you want for a connection
• Your requested date of connection
• The old number/name of tenant if you know them
• Your German bank account details if you have one (not really necessary, as I can arrange for manual invoicing)

... and I'll order it for you (this is a one-off, one-time offer, free of charge, and NEVER to be repeated, in case anyone else thinks I'm an easy source of Telekom orders )

NOTE, however, that Telekom normally send a written confirmation to your new address. If that address does not have YOUR name on the door, then there is a risk the postman won't deliver it, will send it back, and Telekom will assume you don't actually live there and cancel the request...

YorkshireLad6

The reason for dialling that number is perfectly evident. Yes it is t-online and if he dials that number he will be able to speak to someone within the organisation who will be able to provide the information he needs. That is the number I used to get my DSL connection setup when I required assistance. Now I could be mistaken, but that seemed to me what the chap wanted to do.

If you feel that it is incorrect or that phoning you would be a better alternative then so be it, but I'd rather you were a little less rude about it.

Cheers.

Rude?

Quite agree... Rude?

Yorkshire lad is a Telekom and Tiscali agent, from what I gather... and from his name, he is probably a Yorkshire lad and speaks English..

Just a guess...

Yeah sorry 'bout that Yorkshirelad, I misread what you had written.

Still stand by that phone number though. Will be interested to hear back from newbie2004 as to how he gets on.

Hi again, thought i should lt you all know how got on. didnt ring that number as yorkshirelad6 has elped me organise things saving me waiting time when i get to germany next wk. thanks for all your tips guys.

thanks

If I was interpreted as "rude" I'm sorry (maybe it's simply the north-south divide? ), but I do have a thing against T-online, and if you do call them, I'm sure they'll "assist" in getting DSL, but at the same time they'll want to sell you T-online... -shudder...

@Grinner - I'm have neither any connection with Telekom nor Tiscali. I'm simply a help ful person (I think...).

@keydeck



YorkshireLad6